Brooms Away...

Another World Series, another sweep...2004 over the Cardinals, 2007 over the Rockies...don't get me wrong, I love the wins, but occasionally, a little drama would be nice. It's why the emotions of winning the ALCS have been higher. However, a sweep is still just as satisfying, this year in particular, knowing how much of this team is a core for the future. With that, here's 15 (Pedroia) things I think about the World Series:

1. I'm sure anyone that's ever held a bat at the plate has pictured themselves hitting a home run to win the World Series (and some like Joe Carter have gotten to experience such). However, it's still got to be a great feeling for little powerhouse Dustin Pedroia to lead off his first world series game in his rookie season with a blast over the Green Monster. Bravo to the Red Sox 2nd baseman of the present and the future.

2. It's amazing how difficult it can be at times to get that 3rd out of an inning. Just ask the Rockies as the Red Sox blew open game 1 in the 5th, with hit after hit coming with two outs. Of course, walking in 3 straight runs didn't help Colorado's cause either.

3. The youth movement of the Red Sox continues with the duo of Ellsbury and Pedroia. First time in World Series history that a pair of rookies led off a game (Games 3 & 4, with no Youkilis), and did they produce. Ellsbury is so fast it's sick, and Pedroia just always seems to know what to do, nothing phases these guys. They're both so much fun to watch.

4. Thanks to the Rockies for making a few games close (including the great Game 2), even though they still got swept. That's another good young team over there, in what is typically looking like the weaker NL at this point. Now both expansion teams from 1993 have made the World Series (and the Marlins have won 2) with the only recent expansion team that's really underperformed being, surprise, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (I mean the Rays, or whatever they're calling themselves these days).

5. Though the Sox bullpen was quality for much of the year, let's give some big accoldates to it's two studs. Hideki Okajima, fully rested after a September slow down, absolutely befuddling the Rockies hitters with the weirdest delivery this side of the Pacific. As far as Jonathan Papelbon goes, wow is he dominant, and is he ever fun to watch. Speaking of which...

6. Jonathan Papelbon should have a part in the next Batman movie where they resurrect the villian Two-Face. I can not think of a player in recent memory who appears so strikingly different from when he's on the field to when he's off it. On the mound: that death stare that could kill anybody, those eyes coming out from underneath his cap, the entrance to the Dropkick Murphys, it is so damn intimidating. Off the field: the biggest partier in the clubhouse. For those who skipped college frat parties, there's Pap to show you the correct way to have fun with an empty Bud Light box, what the appropriate attire is for post victory celebration (I'm harkening back to when they clinched the AL East and those Under Armor shorts), and how to best show the world you just got the last out in the World Series. I sat there watching Game 4 going "this has to be a strikeout just so I can see Papelbon's reaction. Thankfully, he didn't disappoint.

7. Professor Thom's was a pretty cool place to watch a Red Sox game. Quite a bit bigger than Riviera's but both are quality places. Such is life as a member of the Nation - you can live within the boundaries of the Empire and still find friendly confines to watch the game. Also, though it was good, but not totally authentic, nobody, I mean nobody, does a better Hot Dog than the city of Chicago. Screw deep dish pizza, and get yourself a Chicago style dog anytime you're in the windy city...like a cheesesteak in Philly, it's simply required dining.

8. This assumes the Red Sox are able to work out a deal with Mike Lowell, which is still pending, but have you thought about the possible Red Sox lineup for next season? I mean it really is somewhat sickening -

1. CF - Jacoby Ellsbury
2. 2B - Dustin Pedroia
3. DH - David Ortiz
4. LF - Manny Ramirez
5. 1B - Kevin Youkilis
6. 3B - Mike Lowell
7. RF - J.D. Drew
8. C - Jason Varitek
9. SS - Julio Lugo

9. Award for most improbable contribution to a game during the series belongs to Daisuke Matsuzaka. Dice-K helped his own cause in Game 3, which was close early, with a 2 RBI hit, batting only cause the game was in a National League park. Man when things are clicking, they are really just going well.

10. Props to Terry Francona, for becoming the first manager in MLB history to go 8-0 in his first 8 World Series games. The previous record had been 6-0. In four years with the Sox, the team has now made the playoffs 3 times, won a division title and two World Series Championships, with a post-season record of 22-9, a winning percentage of .710. Not bad. Add to that his ability to deal with the media and maintain team harmony, and it should be obvious - Ink this man to an extension.

11. I don't care whether it was ARod's idea or all Scott Boras' own doing, but leaking announcement of your opting out during Game 4, a possible clinching game of the World Series, is still a pretty low move and showing a total need for "me, me,me attention." If the objective was to show ARod is larger than the game, mission accomplished, it was all anyone could talk about the next day, with disgust. Want to be a singular superstar the rules all?...go to the NBA.

12. Want a good reason to keep winning more championships - simply so we can see more celebrations from Jonathan Papelbon and more "riverdance." For those interested, Pap will be leading the class at Arthur Murray's in December and January, during his off season.

13. I hadn't addressed it yet, but where was Matt Holliday during the 8th inning of Game 2. First career pickoff for Papelbon and the easiest safe/out call for an umpire to make during the entire post season. I had that happen to me once too, but I was a 14yr old playing freshman baseball, not in the World Series. Ouch.

14. One extra additional plug for the adorable hottie that is Dustin Pedroia. Can't wait for spring training.

15. Nothing will ever touch 2004 for all the build up over the previous 86 yrs, even if I wasn't around for most of that. Seemed almost like fate, that the Red Sox most recent post season heart break occurred just the year before in 2003, as one final dagger in the heart of fans before the 2004 team performed that exorcism. Now the Red Sox aren't the losers who find new ways to kill you slowly. This is a team that wins, a team that does have financial advantages (in part due to its rabid fan base & good ownership) and a team that makes smart decisions. I don't care how many more titles this group of guys wins (and hopefully there'll be a few more), it is always sweet to win. Thank you Boston Red Sox for kick starting 2007 as a year to remember for all Boston sports fans for the rest of our lives.

~SS